A VETERAN from Ainsdale has collected his Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal for services 50 years ago.

Grandfather-of-three Anthony Rowland made the trip to Blackpool with wife Shirley and was awarded the medal by Malaysia’s Defence Attache.

The 74-year-old was among more than 150 former members of the armed forces and veterans honoured for his services.

The commemorative medal, which translates into English as the Malaysian Service Medal, is awarded to British and Commonwealth forces who served in Malaysia during the Malayan Emergency and the Malaysian-Indonesian Confrontation periods.

Anthony said: “I’m very pleased to have received the award, especially because it is issued by the Malaysian Government. I have already received a medal for the same purpose from Britain. A campaign was set up to recognise the efforts made by the British troops and soldiers from the Commonwealth countries of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji for their service in Malaysia between 1957 and 1966.

“The reason it is happening now is because it is the 50th anniversary since the independence of Malaysia.”

Anthony said: “It was an enjoyable day. I looked around and out of all the 197 people who were awarded I didn’t know one of them. I was told by the colonel that about 19,000 surviving UK veterans have applied to receive the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal.”

l Were you there? Have you been awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal? Call the Southport Visiter on 01704-398255 or email tina.miles@southportvisiter.co.uk